The G.I. Joe/Transformers “Old Snake & Stealth BATs” set is now IN STOCK at the G.I.Joe Collector’s Club store!

The past few years have seen more G.I. Joe/Transformers crossovers than I would have thoguht possible including three SDCC exclusives from Hasbro. This year Fun Publications, the company behind both the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club and the Transformers Collectors Club, announced two different crossover sets– one featuring Marissa Faireborne, the daughter of Flint and Lady Jaye, and a second featuring a beloved character from the Transformers episode “Only Human.” In this episode, the villain Drath approached an indvidual named “Old Snake” for his synthoid technology, something that Cobra had used numerous times in the G.I. Joe cartoon. Old Snake, as most fans will immediately recognize, was intended to be the future version of Cobra Commander!

I’ll admit that this set is pretty tempting– two recolored Transformers Prime Soundwave figures in BAT colors and a rendition of Old Snake that is as close as you can get without requiring any new tooling. The only downside of this entire set is the pricepoint – $79.99!

Many folks out there will immediate complain that “Joe fans are cheap” and that “Joe fans wait for Ross (discount stores)”, etc – but considering that the Crimson Strike SDCC exclusive set lists for $109.99 at HasbroToyShop.com and includes a Skystriker, a HISS tank and four figures, this set seems to be priced a bit high in my opinion.

Regardless, if you’re looking to order, just use the link below and snag yours today:

Color me a bit surprised on this one. Yesterday was “HTS Day” for many Joe fans who found their browsers perpetually directed to HasbroToyShop.com, hoping for a chance to snag one of the 2016 SDCC G.I. Joe exclusives at the retail price. Around 10am CST yesterday, the products went live and the site’s bandwidth was overwhelmed. However, after a few hours the digital dust cleared and something interesting happened.

]]>http://joebattlelines.com/2015/07/29/2016-sdcc-g-i-joe-exclusives-still-in-stock-at-hts/feed/1Girls of the Finest 2016 Calendar is FULLY FUNDED!http://joebattlelines.com/2015/07/29/girls-of-the-finest-2016-calendar-is-fully-funded/
http://joebattlelines.com/2015/07/29/girls-of-the-finest-2016-calendar-is-fully-funded/#commentsWed, 29 Jul 2015 13:46:16 +0000http://joebattlelines.com/?p=6047Continue reading →]]>The Girls of the Finest 2016 Calendar is fully funded! Not only that, but the lovely ladies of The Finest managed to blow past their original goal of $8,500 and have raised a total of $9,200 to produce the calendar and support the USO!

Thanks to all who donated to support the project and, to the Girls of the Finest, the staff of JBL would like to offer our hearty congratulations! You not only achieved your goal but you surpassed it!

Supporters of the Girls of the Finest 2016 Calendar can keep up with the latest project updates over on IndieGoGo.com.

This year was a pretty good year for SDCC exclusives. The Crimson Strike set featured two new vehicle deco’s and four exclusive figures. Yet, it only told half the story– which was completed in the Toys R Us exclusive SDCC 2015 Desert Duel set. This set featured only two exclusive characters over the standard retail version that’s starting to hit stores now but it also introduced the Joe fandom to the upgraded FOE Striker and Cobra Basilisk!

Want to know what two long-time Joe fans thought of the SDCC 2015 Desert Duel set? Did the FOE Striker live up to the hype? Is the Cobra Basilisk going to replace the familiar HISS Tank any time soon? Can Fred and Chris agree on anything this time around?

That’s right, Joe fans! Two of remaining G.I. Joe Kre-O sets are now 65% off for TODAY only! They may be gone from Toys R Us shelves but this is one last chance to get a great price on the two remaining sets! Plus, who doesn’t want a Kre-O HISS tank?

That’s a fantastic total and one that the online community should be proud of. These lovely ladies have so far raised $7,380 of their $8,500 goal to help support the USO. However, their not resting on their laurels just yet– the Girls of the Finest 2016 calendar project still has 13% of their goal to go!

If you’re on the fence about supporting this project, this is the time to step forward! A simple contribution of $25 secures one printed copy of the 2016 calendar, as well as a unique postcard and trading card from the photo shoots! Sure, you could go out and buy any old calendar for the office or the Joe room for next year but wouldn’t you much rather show your support for the USO by backing the Girl’s of the Finest 2016 calendar?

However, don’t take my word for it– here are some words of encouragement from members of the finest themselves!

When it comes to both Sgt. Slaughter and Kre-O, I know of no bigger fan than Todd Weinzierl of JBL’s sister site Magnum6Delta.com. So, when it came time to review this set I had to seek out the expert– and luckily he was willing to share his thoughts on the SDCC Kre-O Slaughter’s Marauders set that has taken the fandom by storm this summer. After all, many fans thought that they’d never see Hasbro have the opportunity to produce another Sgt. Slaughter figure again!

Was this set a hit with Todd? Would he rather have seen Lego have the license? Did he have trouble opening all of those itty bitty plastic bags? To find out the answer to these questions as read what Todd thought of the new improved Kreon bodies, head on over to the JBL Exclusives Review Index and see find out what Todd thought of the SDCC Kre-O Slaughter’s Maruders set. (You can also get there by clicking on the image above as well.)

While you’re at it– head on over and check out all of Todd’s AMAZING G.I. Joe graphic design work over at Magnum6Delta.com!

]]>http://joebattlelines.com/2015/07/22/sdcc-kre-o-slaughters-marauders-review/feed/0Happy Birthday MadMac41!http://joebattlelines.com/2015/07/22/happy-birthday-madmac41/
http://joebattlelines.com/2015/07/22/happy-birthday-madmac41/#commentsWed, 22 Jul 2015 20:17:38 +0000http://joebattlelines.com/?p=6023Continue reading →]]>We interrupt this G.I. Joe website for some late-breaking news! Long-time JBL staffer Scott “Madmac41″ McAllister has turned another year older today. I know that, given his “advanced age” many of you reading this didn’t think that was possible but stranger things have happened!

Feel free to click on the image above and throw some birthday wishes up on his Facbook page!

For those of you who don’t know Madmac41 he’s a long-time G.I. Joe fan who I’ve known for FAR too long! When I stepped away from JBL for a time back in 2008 on a self-imposed sabbatical, he kept the fires stoked around this dusty site. In addition, he’s an amazing customizer with an incredible eye for parts as well as a true friend.

Again, feel free to drop him some birthday wishes in the comments below or head on over to his Facebook wall and fill it with pictures of Outback!

Seriously– unless you’re someone who loves the retail hunt, here’s a great way to snag the G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary 2-packs from wave 3 and get a few extra troops to boot! Just click on the link below and you’re all set. (Plus, your purchase helps JBL in the process.)